Engine Priming

[THE PEARL CYCLONE]

Hay Guys, wants your opinion on Priming a new GM Performance crate motor. It is a LS3 515/480 with the carburated option. It has no distributor and the Manufacturer says there is no way to prime the motor before the first start up. Has anyone solved this problem?
Thanks Jim

[Mkelcy]

The GMPP instructions I got with my 376/480 LS3 had priming instructions - basically crank it on the starter with the ignition disconnected about 10-15 seconds at a time until you get oil pressure then fire it up.

[andrewb70]

The GMPP instructions I got with my 376/480 LS3 had priming instructions - basically crank it on the starter with the ignition disconnected about 10-15 seconds at a time until you get oil pressure then fire it up.

I did just that when I fired up the engine in my GTO. To verify that oil was being pumped through the system I left off the oil filter. As soon as oil started to come out the bottom, I put the filter back on and fired it up. Don't forget the pan under the car...

Andrew

[THE PEARL CYCLONE]

The GMPP instructions I got with my 376/480 LS3 had priming instructions - basically crank it on the starter with the ignition disconnected about 10-15 seconds at a time until you get oil pressure then fire it up.

Thanks, this really helps.

[THE PEARL CYCLONE]

Good info.

[neki67]

Well, actually you can prime a LS engine w/o cranking it. There are a couple of oil gallery ports on the block, plugged by 15mm plugs. At least one on the front and on the rear of the left cylinder bank. I have an adapter going from 15mm to 1/2" NPT. I'm planning to connect a hose to the 1/2"NPT side and the other end of the hose to a tank holding approx. 2-4 qts of oil and some airpressure to press the oil from the tank into the engine's oil gallery. Read similar stories on LS1tech.com/forums.

I consider that a very sensible initial priming procedure in addition to the forementioned procedure.